CHICAGOLAND TRACK NEWS/RUMORS
Address:
500 Speedway Blvd.
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: 815-727-RACE
Fax: 815-727-7895
Track Specs:
1.5 mile tri-oval
267 laps for 400.5 miles
Banking:
18 degrees in the turns
11 degrees in the front stretch
5 degrees in the back stretch
Frontstretch: 2,400 feet
Backstretch: 1,700 feet
Attendence: ~75,000 another 10,000 in the infield
Opened: 2001
Websites:
Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet IL
ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide
- Goo Goo Dools to headline concert at Chicagoland: Rock band the Goo Goo Dolls will be the headline act for the Miller Lite Rock N' Racing concert at Chicagoland Speedway on Thursday, July 9, Chicagoland Speedway announced today. The concert will once again take place at the track's Miller Lite Pit Stop, which is located behind the Speedway’s grandstands in Champions Park. Large crowds are expected for NASCAR Pole Day and the concert, so guests are encouraged to arrive early. The concert is free and will take place immediately following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying. Tickets for Pole Day are $15 (children 12 and under are free) and provide fans with general admission access to watch practice and qualifying runs for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-629-RACE (7223) or by visiting www.chicagolandspeedway.com.(Chicagoland Speedway)(6-29-2009)
- ISC Announces Changes to Track Leadership: International Speedway Corporation announced it has named Craig Rust, current president of Watkins Glen International, as president of Chicagoland Speedway effective June 15. In addition, the Company announced it has named Michael Printup as president of Watkins Glen to replace Rust. Current Chicagoland President Matt Alexander will leave the Company to pursue other opportunities.(ISC)(6-10-2009)
- New emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009) Comment here
- Chicagoland Sells out 2008 Season: Chicagoland Speedway announced that it has sold out its Track Pack season tickets for the 2008 racing season, as the facility prepares for the first-ever night races at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. In addition to the sold-out grandstands, Chicagoland Speedway also filled up its campground areas, including its Infield RV parking (which sold out in 24 hours) and Old Spice Campgrounds.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(7-11-2008)
- Brendan Fraser to Serve as Grand Marshal at Chicago: Brendan Fraser, who plays explorer Rick O’Connell in the [Universal Pictures Mummy] series, will attend the [Chicagoland] race as Kodak’s guest and serve as Grand Marshal, giving the command “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.”(Kodak PR)(7-10-2008)
- Gretchen Wilson to Perform at Chicagoland on Pole Day Country music star and Pocahontas, Ill. native, Gretchen Wilson, will be performing a Miller Lite Rock N' Racing Concert at the track's Miller Lite Oasis at approximately 9:00pm following Sprint Cup Series qualifying on Thursday, July 10. An opening act is scheduled to start around 8:00pm. General admission tickets to NASCAR Pole Day are now on sale and cost $15 for adults, children age 12 and under are free. Call 888-629-RACE to purchase tickets.(Chicagoland Speedway)(7-9-2008)
- LifeLock to sponsor Cup race at Chicago: LifeLock announced that is has signed a multi-year agreement with Chicagoland Speedway to be the title sponsor for the Sprint Cup Series race at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, beginning with this year's race on Saturday evening, July 12. The LifeLock.com 400 will mark the first ever Sprint Cup Series night race at Chicagoland Speedway. The industry leader in identity theft protection, LifeLock has partnered with Chicagoland Speedway in a continued effort to help educate people on the fastest growing crime in America, identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission recently reported that the number of reported cases of identity theft increased 16% from 2006 to 2007. Track Packs for Chicagoland Speedway's 2008 season, as well as tickets for Pole Day are now on sale to the general public. Track Packs range in price from $195 to $260 and include admission to five (5) races over two (2) event weekends. General admission tickets to NASCAR Pole Day on Thursday, July 10 are $15 for adults; children age 12 and under are free. Fans can purchase Track Packs and Pole Day tickets at the Chicagoland Speedway Ticket Office; by phone at 888-629-RACE (7223); or online at www.chicagolandspeedway.com.(Chicagoland Speedway)(4-8-2008)
- Lights at Chicago? UPDATE Cup race moved to Sat night: Sources have told 1340 WJOL that Chicagoland Speedway has been given a 12 million dollar check from NASCAR to install lights for the 2008 racing season. This would make Joliet's track the 10th Nextel Cup facility able to run night races. There is no confirmation from Chicagoland Speedway, nor any word on how this would affect the now traditional season ending IRL race. Questions also exist on whether this could increase the possiblity of a Craftsman Truck race coming to Chicagoland Speedway.(1340 WJOL)(9-14-2007)
UPDATE: Chicagoland Speedway announced today the installation of lights for the 2008 season. With this new addition to the 1.5-mile, D-shaped oval, Chicagoland Speedway becomes only the 10th Nextel Cup facility [of 22, 5 with Speedway Motorsports, 5 with ISC tracks] able to hold night racing. The NASCAR race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in 2008 will feature two night races - the Busch Series race on Friday, July 11, followed by the Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 12.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(9-25-2007)
- Hanson to sing National Anthem at Chicagol Flyover info: Isaac, Taylor and Zac - the three brothers who make up the band Hanson - will be on hand to sing the National Anthem for the USG Sheetrock 400, Nextel Cup Series race, at Chicagoland Speedway on
Sunday, July 15. As part of the pre-race festivities, Handson will sing the anthem a cappella style, fulfilling a long standing tradition of NASCAR and racing events throughout the country. Their performance will be punctuated with an overhead flyby of F-16's out of the 176th Fighter Squadron. For more information about the July 13-15 USG NASCAR weekend, visit www.chicagolandspeedway.com.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(7-13-2007)
- TBS's Jordana Spiro to serve as Honorary Race Official at Chicago/Concert: Jordana Spiro, Star of TBS's Hit Series MY BOYS will serve as Honorary Race Official for Nextel Cup Race at Chicagoland Speedway. Spiro (JAG, Must Love Dogs), plays central character PJ Franklin in TBS's critically acclaimed half-hour comedy series MY BOYS.
Concert: Chicagoland Speedway has teamed up with its official beer sponsor, Miller Lite, to host another Miller Lite Rock N' Racing Concert during the 2007 NASCAR weekend on Friday, July 13. Country music sensation Montgomery Gentry will be performing the concert at the track's Miller Lite Oasis following the USG FIBEROCK 100 USAC Silver Crown Series race. Large crowds are expected for USG Pole Day and the concert, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(7-10-2007)
- Chicago Bears Head Coach named Chicagoland Grand Marshal: Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith has been
named Grand Marshal for the USG SHEETROCK 400, Nextel Cup Series race, at Chicagoland Speedway on Sun., July 15. Smith, who led the Bears to the Super Bowl last season in just his third season as head coach, will declare the most famous words in racing, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" He'll then ride in the Grand Marshal car in front of the Pace Car, which leads the field of NASCAR drivers onto the track for the race.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(6-29-2007)
- New Chicagoland president named: International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), owner and operator of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., has named Matthew T. Alexander president of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66
Raceway. Alexander joined the company in 2000 as director of marketing and sales and was responsible for acquiring and maintaining marketing relationships with the track's top sponsors, as well as overseeing the ticket sales department as Chicagoland Speedway prepared to open its doors in 2001. Alexander's duties also included the sales and management of corporate hospitality for the sold-out
hospitality village and suites. Alexander also managed the day-to-day marketing, corporate sales and corporate hospitality of Route 66 Raceway. Alexander is not a stranger to the Chicagoland area as he held senior-level positions with local sports properties, including venue director during the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup at Soldier Field in Chicago and marketing director during the 1997 U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(3-14-2007)
- Chicagoland Speedway Track Packs on Sale Feb. 19: Track Packs for the 2007 season at Chicagoland Speedway go on sale to the general public on Monday, Feb. 19. Track Packs can be purchased at the Chicagoland Speedway Ticket Office, by phone at 815-727-RACE (7223) or online at www.chicagolandspeedway.com.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(2-19-2007)
- Boy’s Privacy Invaded When Pictured In NASCAR Brochure, Suit Claims: A Joliet [IL] man says his minor son had his privacy invaded when the Chicagoland Speedway used pictures of him to advertise its events in a brochure. In a lawsuit filed in federal court against Raceway Associates and Chicagoland Speedway, David Fremouw claims his son's photo was used approximatly 17 times in an advertising brochure the defendants mailed out. On July 8, 2005, David Fremouw took his son, Mathew, to the Chicagoland Speedway, where the minor was photographed via video or camera, the suit said. Mathew Fremouw appeared on the cover of the defendants' brochure, which was used as ‘Exhibit A’ in the suit. A photocopy of the cover depicts a race car in the foreground and blurred images in the background. Because of his use in the brochure, Mathew Fremouw feels humiliated and embarrassed, the suit claims. David Fremouw is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.(wbbm780.com)(12-30-2006)
- ISC to buy out IMS ownership of Chicagoland Speedway: International Speedway Corporation ("ISC") today announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation to indirectly acquire an additional 37.5% interest in Raceway Associates, LLC ("Raceway Associates"), owner and operator of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The purchase price for the transaction is approximately $69 million in cash. After the transaction closes, ISC will own 100% of Motorsports Alliance, LLC ("Motorsports Alliance"), which owns 75% of Raceway Associates. Raceway Associates was formed in 1999 as a joint venture between Motorsports Alliance and the former owners of Route 66 Raceway. Raceway Associates subsequently developed Chicagoland Speedway, a 75,000 seat facility hosting premier motorsports events from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch, IRL IndyCar and ARCA RE/MAX series. ISC will also exercise its right to purchase the minority partners' remaining 25% interest in Raceway Associates pursuant to the 1999 Raceway Associates formation agreement. All the above transactions are expected to close in early 2007.(ISC Motorsports site)(11-1-2006)
